Shingling gage



V. L. LONGHI SHINGLING GAGE Filed Jan. 2, 1958 `une 9, 1959 ae E3 United States Patent SHINGLING GAGE Vincent L. Longhi, Plymouth, Mass. Application January 2, 1958, Serial No. 706,780 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-188) This invention relates to a novel and improved gage adapted for use in laying shingles in overlapping relation on a roof or other surface to be covered. I am aware that such gages are not broadly new and my invention contemplates various improvements rendering such gages more compact and economical and having improved features facilitating the use and operation of the gage. The production of a shingling gage embodying improvements of this nature and for the purpose described comprise the primary object of the invention.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing in Which- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of my gage in operative position on a roof,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is Ia perspective view of a support unit of the gage.

In the drawing indicates a roof having rows of shingles 12 applied thereto in overlapping relation. My invention comprises a new and improved gage adapted to be conveniently applied to the roof to facilitate the rapid and accurate laying of the shingles.

The gage comprises two like support units 14 adapted to be placed in the lateral relation illustrated in Fig. 1 and respectively carrying two parallel rods 16 supporting a gage bar 18 on their forward ends. The forward m-argin of the bar is a straight edge adapted to serve as a line abutment for placing the top row 12 of shingles in the required overlapping relation.

In the preferred form of the invention each support unit 14 embodies a sheet metal plate having one end portion bent U-shaped to provide an intermediate part 22 connecting two parallel spaced parts 23 and 24. The part 24 is relatively thin and wedge shaped along its forward margin and is adapted to slide beneath the butt end of a fixed row of shingles as illustrated in the drawing. A clamping screw 26 threaded downwardly through the part 23 carries a rubber foot 28 on its bottom end adapted to engage the shingle and clamp it into pressure contact with the part 24.

When the supporting units 14 are in the operative position illustrated in the drawing each part 22 provides a substantially vertical wall extending upwardly from the rear margin of the foot plate 24 and in abutting engagement with said row of shingles. Also integral with the plate along its rear margin is a vertical portion 30 slotted vertically at 32 and providing a guideway support. Vertically slidable on this guideway support is a plate 34 having integral therewith a horizontal guide 36, a binding screw 38 carried on the plate 34 and extending through the slot and threaded into a piece 40 being provided for clamping the plate and guide in its vertically adjusted position. 'Ihe piece 40 is held non-rotatably between parallel marginal portions 41 of the plate 34. A rod 18 is longitudinally slidable in each guide 36 and can be secured in adjusted position by a binding screw 42.

The rods 16 are graduated along their lengths, extend forwardly over their foot plates 24 and carry a gage bar 18 on their forward ends. The gage bar is disposed right-angularly to the rods and provides a straight edge along its forward margin which serves as a line abutment for locating the top row of shingles being laid. The bar is preferably mounted to slide on the rods and for this purpose each rod is provided with a supporting bracket 44 at its forward end. The bar is graduated along its length and can be conveniently adjusted longitudinally by placing Ia pointed instrument in depressions 46 in the top face of the bar. An intermediate portion of each base support plate is bent outwardly and upwardly to provide a hand gripping lip 48 to aid in placing and removing the base support.

Construction of the base support 14 from a single piece of sheet metal facilitates both the `economy and efficiency of these supports and their cooperating parts. The supports can be conveniently and quickly applied in operative position to the roof and secured firmly in place by the clamps 28 without marking or otherwise damaging the shingles, and the rods 16 can be conveniently adjusted and secured in adjusted position properly placing the gage bar 18 to provide the required overlap for each additional row of shingles to be laid. The vertical adjustment provided at 30-40 allows for use of the gage with shingles varying in thickness and permits vertical adjustment of the rods 16 together with their supporting guides 36 to a position resting the gage bar 18 in direct and rm contact with the roof.

Having thus disclosed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shingling gage comprising in combination, two base supports in laterally spaced relation and each ernbodying a forwardly extending horizontal plate adapted to slide beneath the butt end of a fixed row of shingles, two guides respectively carried by and vertically adjustable on the supports, means for securing the guides in different positions of vertical adjustment, two rods longitudinally adjustable respectively in the guides, means for securing the rods in adjusted position in the guides, means for securing the supports to the shingles with the rods disposed in parallel relation, and a gage bar disposed right-angularly to and carried on the forward ends of the rods and having a straight edge along its :forward margin.

2. In ya shingling gage, a support embodying a metal sheet having a U-shaped portion thereof providing an intermediate part connecting two parallel spaced parts adapted to receive a shingle therebetween, means carried by one of said two parts for clamping the shingle in pressure contact with the other of said two parts, said sheet having an integral portion in a plane parallel with said intermediate part and having a slot therein normal to said two parts, a guide mounted on said integral portion for adjustment along the slot, means for clamping the guide to the integral portion in adjusted position along the slot, a yrod mounted for longitudinal adjustment in the guide and extending through the slot, and means for clamping the rod in adjusted position.

3. In a shingling gage, a support embodying a metal sheet having a U-shaped portion thereof providing an intermediate part connecting two parallel spaced parts adapted to receive a shingle therebetween, means carried by one of said two parts for clamping the shingle in pressure contact with the other of said two parts, a guide on said intermediate parvt, a rod mounted for longitudinal References Cited in the le of thisrpatent adjustment in the guide normal to said intermediate part, UNITED STATES PATENTS means for clamping the rod in adjusted position in the 

